Six categories were used to select the winner: service, value, itineraries and destinations, activities, dining, staterooms.

Here is what Tauck CEO Dan Mahar had to say:

“Tauck River Cruises are crafted and choreographed to be complete destination experiences. For us to excel in the Travel+Leisure survey across such broad criteria affirms that we’re doing an exceptional job in delivering every element of the cruise experience.”

Tauck is not sitting on its reward, so to speak.

Two new riverboats are scheduled to enter the fleet in 2014. Tauck will launch the ms Inspire and ms Savor in April and June, respectively, and it will also introduce four new itineraries in Europe, including its first-ever cruise on the Seine River in France.

Both of Tauck’s new ships will be 443 feet long and accommodate 130 passengers, fewer passengers than you’ll find on other riverboats of the same size. According to the line, it means 46 per cent more space for passengers. I don’t have ruler that big so I’ll have to take Tauck’s word for it.

Each new ship will have 22 suites of 300 square feet, plus eight 225-square-foot loft cabins on the lower deck.

The loft cabins, according to Tauck, feature a raised platform seating area that offers window views and a table with two chairs. A raised ceiling above the seating area allows the use of a much taller window than can normally be incorporated into lower-level cabins.

Here is some background on Tauck:

This river cruise line offers 15 all-inclusive voyages on four ships: Swiss Emerald, Swiss Sapphire, Swiss Jewel and Swiss Treasures. The two new vessels, Inspire and Savor, will comprise Tauck’s new Inspiration Class of ships. Itineraries range from eight to 24 days with over 100 departures annually on the Danube, Rhône, Rhine, Moselle, Saône, Main and Maas rivers.

The ship building continues, as does the building of more itineraries.